HOW TO COMBAT POLLUTION

 1. New Study Shows How Reforestation Slows Mercury Dispersal

Reforestation has important implications for mercury contamination and dispersal patterns, as shown in In a new Pure Earth study done to estimate the effects of different deforestation and reforestation scenarios in the area where AMATAF calls home.

Pure Earth researchers found that further deforestation could lead to the displacement of up to 20.16 mg of mercury per hectare into the watershed annually, whereas further reforestation could prevent up to 15.36 mg of mercury per hectare from reaching the watershed annually. The study, which was conducted and written by Dr. Francisco Román, Pure Earth’s own France Cabanillas and Charlie Espinosa, and local hydrologist Edwing Arapa, highlights the importance of the Amazon forest in capturing and storing mercury that would otherwise make its way into the water cycle, where it could wind up in fish, then humans.

Studies have found high mercury levels in people who consume fish from Amazonian rivers. These populations are often indigenous and depend upon fish as an essential part of their nutrition base.

The importance of decreasing mercury use, avoiding deforestation, and encouraging reforestation cannot be understated.

2. Rainforest Reforestation: More Than Just Planting Trees

Since February 2020, miners have worked with Pure Earth to plant 5,000 trees of varying species in five hectares split between two of AMATAF’s mining concessions, Rosita II and Linda II.  Miners, including Linda II concessionaire Hugo Quispe, were inspired by the reforestation trainings and initiated a miner-led effort to reforest an additional hectare of land.

Careful measurements of the trees have been made over the past few years to track their progress. In general, the two-year survival rate, measured in June 2022, of over 70% is considered “excellent.” However, there is always room for improvement. Of the trees that died, the most-often cited reason was erosion of the poor topsoil.

The type of mining generally performed in Madre de Dios by artisanal and small-scale gold miners involves the use of low-cost suction pumps, which differs from mining that uses heavy machinery.

After cutting down trees and clearing the area, miners use high-powered hoses to wash the entire surface layer of topsoil and organic material, creating an artificial pond. Miners then pass water containing gold-bearing sediment from the pond through a sieve, where carpet-like material catches the gold. The rest of the material, now considered tailings, is dumped nearby.

As a result of this process, mined-out concessions in the area tend to have their topsoil stripped away, leaving behind a nutrient-poor sandy soil sometimes contaminated with mercury. These conditions can make it difficult for newly planted species to thrive.

3. Miners Learn Recipes To Encourage Life In Hostile Conditions

In order to give trees reforested in this nutrient-poor soil a fighting chance, Pure Earth has been performing innovative research and work on improving soil conditions for newly reforested species in Madre de Dios. This includes investigating the efficiency of using soil amendments, which may provide much-needed nutrients and texture to the soil.

AMATAF miners were previously trained by local partner CINCIA technicians on how to produce biochar. This year, the miners received a series of hands-on workshops on how to make and apply soil amendments. These soil amendments are composed of readily available and cost-efficient organic materials such as biochar and molasses.

Here’s how the miners made the soil amendment:

First, topsoil and leaf litter were gathered from the local forest – these materials contain organic components with naturally occurring, beneficial microorganisms necessary for healthy soil.

 The topsoil and leaf litter were then spread out into a thin layer.

Next, sacks of marine algae, phosphate rock, and biochar were added to the layer of topsoil and mixed.

The miners made a second mixture consisting of yeast, molasses, and oxygenated water, which they then poured onto the topsoil mixture.

All ingredients were mixed until homogenous. The mixture was covered to avoid moisture loss and was left to sit for eight days to encourage growth of the beneficial microorganisms.

After eight days, the mixture was ready to be applied to the saplings!

4. Evaluation Of Mining Ponds

AMATAF miners are also helping in another type of innovative research being done to evaluate mining ponds, which are artificial bodies of water that form after mining with suction pumps. These landscapes slowly begin to form the basis of a habitat for species of fish, reptiles, mammals, and birds that use these areas for food. Because mining ponds form part of the new landscape created post-mining, it is important to consider these areas when planning restoration work.